Gold Coast United striker Shane Smeltz is on his way to Turkey for talks with Turkish Super League club Genclerbirligi SK after an agreement was reached between the two clubs on Tuesday.
The Hyundai A-League’s reigning Golden Boot winner and New Zealand World Cup international still has to undergo a medical at the club, however, ahead of any more contract negotiations taking place.
United chief executive Clive Mensink said the transfer process was in its ‘early stages’ but he believed the deal would proceed as expected over the next 72 hours.
“Naturally, we will be sorry to see Shane go,” Mensink said.
“But we are pleased that he may now be able to pursue his dream of playing with a major overseas club.”
“He has been the subject of constant transfer speculation since he returned from China, but to his credit has remained focussed on his job at Gold Coast United, which was illustrated by his tremendous performance in Wellington recently.”
“If this transfer is completed we wish him all the very best for the future.”
Prior to departing on his flight to Ankara, Smeltz thanked United for their swift attention to the enquiry from Genclerbirligi SK, a club that already has two former Hyundai A-League players on their books, Mile Jedinak and Bruce Djite.
“Gold Coast United’s owner, Clive Palmer, CEO Clive Mensink and Miron Bleiberg have all been fantastic with me since I returned from China,” said Smeltz referring to an aborted move to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng, that Smeltz attempted in July.
“I would like to place on record my sincere thanks for everything they have done and all their support,” Smeltz said.
“Genclerbirligi are a stable club who play in a strong competition and I’m looking forward to holding discussions with them over the next couple of days.”
The most recent Hyundai A-League player to move to Turkey, Danny Vukovic, endured a tough time there, however, the former Mariners goalkeeper let go by Konyaspor before even playing a game for the Turkish club.
